|
|
Posted by Paul (in NY) [12.64.134.52] on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 at 17:12:29 :
In Reply to: pulling rivets posted by Russ(UP-MI) [97.73.64.172] on Tuesday, February 01, 2011 at 16:36:46 :
I wrote this a few years ago on removing rivets from brake backing plates. It works equally well on any large rivets. The rivet size dictates the size of the holes drilled.
I used this method every time and can remove a backing plate in less than 15 minutes.
1. Take a 4.5" angle grinder with a 1/16" kerf cutoff wheel. With the angle grinder and cutoff wheel come in from the outside of the backing plate parallel with the backing plate and cut the head off the rivet as close as possible.
2. With the angle grinder and a flap type abrasive grinding disk, grind the end of each of the 5 rivets smooth where you just cut the head off.
3. You will now see the outline of the .500" rivet that has to be removed. Get dead center on each rivet and make a nice deep center punch.
4. Now with a drill your going to drill into the rivet body towards the rear of the rivit. Start with a 1/8" drill bit. Drill the first hole .500" deep. The with a 1/4" drill bit open the hole to 1/4", then with a 5/16" drill bit open the hole to 5/16" and finally with a 3/8" drill bit open the hole to 3/8". Each time you enlarge the hole, be sure to drill all the way to the bottom of the first pilot 1/8" hole.
5. You will now have a hole, 3/8" diameter x 1/2" deep. Use a pair of Large Vise Grips to hold the 3/8" punch so you eliminate the chance of hitting your fingers. Take a 3/8" FLAT nose punch and insert the end in the hole. Now with SAFETY GOGGLES, GLOVES and HEARING PROTECTION, take a hand sledge and wack the punch. The first blow will have a ring, the second and third blows will have a muffled thud as the rivet moves out. I find it takes about 4 blows and the rivet is out. The backing plate will fall off.
The reason for drilling the holes, ending with 3/8" x .500" deep is this. If you try to drive on the flush rivet body, each blow will cause the rivet to expand just a little in the already tight hole. The more you have to drive on it, the more you expand the rivet and make it even tighter. By drilling .500" deep hole, 3/8" deep you are driving on the inside of the rivet deep enough that any expansion will not expand the rivet and bind it in the hole.
Although the above procedure details rivet removal on Brake Backing Plates, it also work equally as well on Frame Rivets.
Paul
Follow Ups: